Dwight C. Brown, the Democratic nominee for the Essex County Register of Deeds and Mortgages, chief of staff to Newark Central Ward Councilman Charles Bell and Democratic chairman in Newark’s Central Ward, died today. He was 62.
A career military man who rose to the rank of sergeant major in the U.S. Army, Mr. Brown cut an imposing figure who commanded people’s attention.
Newark Mayor Cory Booker said Mr. Brown defined the human excellence of Newark and the spiritual strength of the Central Ward.
“I will miss his dedication to the Central Ward, his commitment to Newark and its future, and his wise counsel as Councilman Charles Bell’s Chief of Staff,” the mayor said. “All of Newark will mourn his loss, and the entire administration sends its deepest condolences and prayers to Dwight Brown’s family.”
State Assemblyman Albert Cuotinho, D-Essex, Union, described Mr. Brown as a disciplined leader who knew how to take care of business.
“He was the most honest, decent, caring and hard-working person that I had the pleasure to meet,” said Assemblyman Cuotinho.
He also had a soft side and a charisma that drew people to him.
“He was one of the kindest people I ever met. He was a gentle giant,” said state Assemblywoman Grace Spencer, D-Essex, Union. “It’s a great loss personally, politically and to the community.”
Sen. Teresa Ruiz, D-Newark, said Mr. Brown’s signature was his smile.
“What was unique about Dwight was that he was the same human being whether he was in the political arena, advocating for residents, or interacting with his family,” Sen. Ruiz said. “He had respect for everyone and a passion and compassion for individuals. He treated everyone fairly and equally.”
Mr. Brown’s children remembered his great sense of humor.
“He enjoyed life. We laughed all the time,” Dwight Brown Jr. said. “Nothing seemed to bother him. Even if he was sick, we didn’t know about it.”
“I’ve never seen him stressed,” daughter Benita Brown said. “There wasn’t a situation he couldn’t handle.”
B.J. Walton, an aide to Councilman Bell, said Mr. Brown was a force to reckon with.
"The word defeat wasn't in his vocabulary," said Ms. Walton, who worked with Mr. Brown. "There's never been anyone like him."
Born Oct 17, 1947, in Knoxville, Tenn., Mr. Brown served in the U.S. Army for 29 years, retiring in 1993. His tours of duty included stints in Korea and Germany. In his last assignment for the Army, he served as the commandant of the Non-Commissioned Officer Academy at the Schofield Barracks in Honolulu, HI.
Mr. Brown brought some of his military discipline into his home. His children remember their father’s morning wake up ritual – usually at 5 a.m. -- when he would blast the radio into their bedrooms.
“You can’t be in this house sleeping. If I’m up, then everyone has to be up,” Dwight Brown Jr. recalled his father saying. “That’s how he was. Now I’m up at 5 a.m. every morning, even on Saturday and Sunday.”
After retiring from the military, Mr. Brown worked as a regional property manager for Crossland Properties in Augusta, Ga., and the vice president of operations for H.J. Russell in Atlanta. He moved to Newark in 1997, landing a job as director of property management at the Newark Housing Authority, where he worked until 2006.
Mr. Brown took a job as chief operating officer at The North Ward Center in Newark, where he improved and modernized many of the functions of the center, said founder Stephen N. Adubato.
Mr. Adubato said Mr. Brown told him that his real interest was in developing an institution similar to The North Ward Center in the Central Ward.
“He was a natural leader,” said Mr. Adubato. “I’ve lost a great friend and confidante. Newark, Essex County, the state and country have lost a great public servant.”
Those who worked closely with Mr. Brown said he cared deeply for his family. “He always talked about his children, his grandchildren and his great grandchildren,” said Adrianne Davis, the executive director of the North Ward Center.
Mr. Brown’s children said their father enjoyed watching just about every sport on television, including football, college basketball, boxing and even tennis, always surrounded by family members. He also enjoyed poker.
He is survived by his wife, Alita Thompson Brown, eight children, Benita Brown, Donna Smith, and Denessa Brown, all of Queens, N.Y., Dwight Brown Jr., of East Orange, Tavaris Brown, of Newnan, Ga., Laterria Green, of Miami, Fla., Terrance Banks, who is attending Jackson State University in Mississippi and Charles Lester Brown, who is attending Bacone College in Muskcogee, Ok.
He is also survived by three sisters, Charyl Thompson, of Queens, N.Y., Roberta Stroughton, of Brooklyn, N.Y. and Maryann Stroughton, of Kingston, N.Y., and two brothers, Nolen Melson of Los Angeles, Ca., and Maeso Thompson of Queens, N.Y. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren and a host of family and friends.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, July 14 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Abyssinian Baptist Church, 224 W. Kinney Street, Newark. Funeral services will be Wednesday, July 15 at 11 a.m. at the church. The Rev. Dr. Perry Simmons will officiate. Burial will follow at Glendale Cemetery in Bloomfield.
